Detroit Lions: A possible under the radar difference maker

The Detroit Lions didn’t directly address the defensive end position during April’s draft because of an under-the-radar contributor already on the roster.

It seems to happen every year. A player that isn’t in the spotlight as a star with a common name around the league emerges as a huge difference maker for his team, yet still is somewhat forgotten. This year, that player for the Detroit Lions is at the defensive end playing opposite a superstar with a large contract in Ziggy Ansah.

No, I’m not talking about Kerry Hyder, a player who emerged in 2016 as a force to be reckoned with. I’m talking about a player who started all 16 games in 2017; a player who put up a respectable 6.5 sacks to go along with 56 tackles; a player that currently is listed as a starter on the Lions’ first depth chart. I’m talking about third-year defensive end Anthony Zettel.

Zettel is flying somewhat under the radar because Hyder has returned from the Achilles injury that ended his season last year. It also doesn’t help that Ansah is the bigger name on Detroit’s defensive line. But Zettel will be another sizeable factor in this defense.

As Lions new head coach Matt Patricia has brought in a different defensive scheme that is less 4-3 or 3-4 and more of a “sub” package, Zettel, along with all the other defensive players, are learning how they will fit. Right now, he fits as the starter at right defensive end.

Talking about the new scheme, here’s what Zettel told the Detroit Lions official website recently in a camp spotlight:

"“I don’t think it really affects me much. I just have to learn different positions and different ways to attack stuff and alignments and assignments. Other than that, it’s just kind of learning every day from coaches and just going out there and trying hard.”"

While it might not affect Zettel much, all Lions fans are hoping the multiple different looks from this defense have a big effect on opposing offenses starting in September. And while Lions fans may know his name, flying under the radar against opposing teams might add a little something extra to impact of this defense.

Players will rotate in and out of this defensive scheme with multiple different looks. There might not always be four men on the defensive line. They might not all be in three or four-point stances. And, lucky for the Lions, this team really doesn’t have a shortage of playmakers at the position.

It will be interesting to see how it all looks when the whistle blows and the games matter for the Detroit Lions. But don’t forget about the impact of one Anthony Zettel.